A determined group of 25+ alumni have been volunteering time and effort to save the Chi Phi Alpha Delta Chapter at Penn State.
The good news is that this is a much larger group of volunteers than we’ve ever had. This is typical of our frater
A determined group of 25+ alumni have been volunteering time and effort to save the Chi Phi Alpha Delta Chapter at Penn State.
The good news is that this is a much larger group of volunteers than we’ve ever had. This is typical of our fraternity - brothers come to the rescue when hard times befall us. Unfortunately, to save Chi Phi Alpha Delta from extinction, we need a concerted effort from the majority of our brothers from each and every decade.
It’s the first time since 1932 the house has been vacant during a school year. Since the borough mandated a sprinkler system to be installed by September 30, 2008, we could not allow active members to live in the house. The bottom line: if this campaign succeeds, the house will reopen in the fall of 2010; otherwise, the house – and our access to it - will be closed forever.
We started our campaign to save the house over three years ago. Over that time, we have developed a comprehensive business plan to allow Chi Phi to thrive at Penn State into the next century. Stay tuned to www.chiphi-psu.org for the full detailed plan. This plan addresses multiple aspects of the brotherhood such as house renovation, on-going maintenance fund, “re-engineering” the brotherhood, recruitment of members, a live-in house mother, etc. But, integral to this overall strategic plan is our fundraising campaign.
Our business plan requires us to raise $2.25 million. The good news is that we have a strong starting point thanks to key alumni that emphatically believe in our plan. As of October 31, 2008, we have received written pledges in the amount of $543,000. We’ve raised these pledges in the “quiet phase” of our campaign through the generosity of just 58 of our 962 active alumni members.
Four key alumni have led the way with major commitments to the campaign as of this time: Dave Brockway ’78, Bill Marsh ’78 and John Meyer ’78 have each made pledges of $100,000. Andy Schultz, Sr. ’60 has pledged a major gift of $50,000.
The tireless effort of the 25+ alumni has been an amazing testament to what Chi Phi has meant to each and every one of us. Now we are counting on you—EVERYONE! With 6% of our alumni base contributing to date, we are now moving to the “public phase” of our capital campaign. To successfully complete our mission, we need help from all of our alumni.
We recognize that these are difficult times economically, and understand that this need could not be coming at a more inopportune time. We would love to change our timing, but are not able. Thankfully, our alumni have been very receptive to our business plan and capital campaign. After you read our plan, we feel confident that you will feel our passion and give generously.
If Chi Phi played an important role in making you the man you are today, then we need your support. If you can attribute friendships in your life to your days at Chi Phi, then we need your support. If you want to pay forward the same opportunities to other men, then we need your support.
Our plan is to ask every active alumnus member of our fraternity – including YOU - to make a pledge commitment within the next nine months. Pledges can be paid over a three-year period. Please review the pledge levels on the following page to consider your most generous giving level.
Our leadership has agreed that this is an “all-or-nothing proposition.” We will move forward with our renovations and the plan to change the culture of the brotherhood only if we can meet or exceed our goal of $2.25 million. If we do not meet or exceed our goal, we will begin the process of seeking a buyer for our home and return funds to each donor. If that scenario occurs, Chi Phi will no longer exist at Penn State.
It’s an aggressive, but necessary plan. A short-term “Band-aid” approach is not an option. Join us now in transforming Chi Phi Alpha Delta to excellence!
